With the state of the Galaxy back line, Arellano’s second MLS start could be Wednesday night when the club faces the Colorado Rapids (6 p.m.; Spectrum SportsNet).

With Jelle Van Damme (suspended), Daniel Steres (hamstring) and Bradley Diallo (hamstring) all out, Arellano started at one of the center back positions.

“Usually before games I get nervous, I think it just means that this means a lot to me,” Arellano said. “Once the whistle was blown, I was fine. The guys next to me gave me a lot of confidence.”

Arellano has worked his way up the Galaxy organization chain. After spending a year at Los Alamitos High, he joined the Galaxy Academy at 16 before heading into residency with the U.S. U-17 program in Florida.

He signed his first professional contract in July and made eight appearances with Galaxy II.

Earlier this year, he was signed as a Homegrown Player for his dream club. He called it a “dream come true” when he was signed.

Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo came away impressed with the teenager’s performance during the week.

“I’ve debuted a lot of players in this league, a lot of young players over the years,” Onalfo said. “I’ve seen players that look like deer in the headlights and it’s overwhelming for them and you need to give them a couple of games before they can actually do it. He was not nervous about it. I’m sure he had nerves, but he didn’t show any and he just stepped in and did a real solid job.”

The Galaxy is in a difficult stretch, trying to navigate a congested schedule among several injuries. As Onalfo has proved, he’s not afraid to give young players a chance on the field.

Arellano said he knew that he had to stay ready in case his number was called.

“It shows that our team has a lot of depth,” Arellano said. “Our young guys need to be ready, with all of the injuries happening early in the season.

“I always try to stay ready. I think that’s what the second team (Galaxy II) is for. You’re getting minutes, you’re always feeling prepared and when your name is called upon, you’re ready to go.”

L.A. GALAXY at COLORADO RAPIDS

Kickoff: 6 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

TV/radio: Spectrum SportsNet; KWKW/1330; LAGalaxy.com (English)

Update: The Rapids (5-8-1) are 10th in the Western Conference with 16 points. … Colorado is a different team at home (5-2-1) than on the road (0-6). The Rapids have won four consecutive games at home. … Colorado has one of the league’s poorest offensive outputs, scoring the second-fewest goals (14) this season. … Former Galaxy forward Alan Gordon has scored two goals, including the 89th-minute winner Saturday against Portland. … Onalfo said Daniel Steres (hamstring) could dress for Saturday’s home game against Sporting Kansas City. Defender Bradley Diallo (hamstring) will not be available against Colorado.

Damian Calhoun is the Prep Sports Coordinator and writer for the Daily Breeze. He's also the soccer writer for the Southern California News Group, covering Major League Soccer and occasionally the U.S. national teams.